Returning Benji Marshall looms as NRL bargain

Benji Marshall could become a cut-price NRL player, the former New Zealand skipper tipped to earn $60,000 for the rest of the NRL season.

While one NRL club official said Marshall could command up to $600,000 a season if he returned to the NRL next year, most clubs have stretched their salary cap this season with the recruiting window closing on June 30. At least three Sydney NRL clubs have already expressed interest in Marshall to his manager Martin Tauber via a third party. The Warriors, Melbourne and Brisbane could also come into calculations to sign the 2010 Golden Boot winner.

Off the pace: Benji Marshall appeared to be out of his depth in rugby Photo: Anthony Johnson

While Marshall enjoys living in his native New Zealand, a switch back to Sydney looms as his likely destination. Salford in the English Super League have already offered him a $1 million a season deal, but that would only become a reality should he fail to find an NRL suitor.

Age could also become a factor for Marshall, who will turn 30 before the start of the next NRL season. He was earning about $500,000 in his final season at the Tigers last year before he signed a reduced contract to switch codes when he signed a two-year deal to play rugby union. The Tigers had offered Marshall an upgraded contract worth about $750,000 per season last year before his relationship with the club soured and his form dipped.

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Cronulla have emerged as the early front-runner for Marshall’s services. The club is keen to add him to partner Todd Carney in the halves. Cronulla have veteran halfback Jeff Robson, who is contracted until the end of next year, but he could switch to hooker following the likely retirement of John Morris and the departure of Michael Lichaa to Canterbury at the end of this year.

The Sharks salary cap position has changed following the breakdown of Andrew Fifita’s deal with Canterbury. Cronulla are confident of retaining Fifita and are on the lookout for outside backs. Marshall obviously enjoys a strong relationship with a handful of Cronulla players including Beau Ryan and Chris Heighington and the club’s chief executive Steve Noyce was once his boss at the Tigers.

Big fish: At his best with the Tigers, Benji Marshall was one of the most beguiling players in the game Photo: Brendan Esposito

St George Illawarra is another club yet to find a long-term solution to their halfback problem, having used three No.7s to start the season. The Dragons are on the market for a halves partner for five-eighth Gareth Widdop and made subtle inquiries about Jarrod Mullen’s availability before he committed to a four-year contract at Newcastle last week.

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Marshall has long repeated that he would always be a “one-club man” but he is next to no chance of returning to the Tigers who have pressed on strongly in his absence. His return to the game could mirror that of Mark Gasnier who made a cut-price comeback to St George Illawarra following a two-year stint playing French rugby.